SEAT Testing Ventilators In Collaboration With The Healthcare System
From cars to ventilators, the SEAT Leon line at the Martorell plant is producing automated ventilators in partnership with the healthcare system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The product line has been transformed from producing the SEAT Leon, to rolling out ventilators in record time, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many SEAT employees.
“The motivation of everyone participating in this project is that with our know-how we can mass-produce equipment that will save lives”
Nicolás Mora from the Production area of SEAT Martorell
The rapidly changing circumstances regarding COVID-19 meant SEAT needed to launch several initiatives to combat the virus. A key element in these initiatives is to produce material and devices which are in high demand from hospitals. A total of 13 prototypes were produced in order to find the definitive model which is now undergoing numerous tests.
By using an adapted motor from the windscreen wiper, as well as gears and gearbox shafts, high quality ventilators have been designed in collaboration with Protofy.XYZ, the OxyGEN ventilators are being assembled at the SEAT facilities.
In order to transform the assembly line effectively and efficiently, 150 employees from numerous areas of SEAT, have adapted their usual workstation from assembling SEAT Leon parts, to putting together the ventilators.
“Taking an assembly line that manufactures subframes, a car part, and adapting it to make ventilators has been a lengthy, difficult job involving many areas of the company, and we managed to do it in the record time of one week”
Sergio Arreciado from the Process Engineering area of SEAT
As each ventilator is made of over 80 electronic and mechanical components, it is essential to carry out thorough quality control with ultraviolet light sterilisation.
In addition to the impressive turn around of the assembly line, the ventilator prototype requires prolonged testing as part of the approval process.
“Just knowing that we’ve tried to help save a life makes all this work we’ve done worthwhile”
Francesc Sabaté of R&D at SEAT
SEAT would like to thank their employees for their solidarity shown at this difficult time, as well as the collaboration of several companies, as without the combination of both collaboration and solidarity, this project would not have been possible. A special thanks goes to the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Healthcare Products for their involvement.
For further information, please contact Caffyns SEAT today.